"To be or not to be" Thursday (Imperial and Royal Families 3 The House of D' Pont Du Lac)

The Royal Dynasty that used to rule over the Kingdom of Franconia was the Royal House of Bourbon-Bourbon. However with the fall of the monarchy after the domestic revolution within Franconia that line technically ended. However a direct descendant still lives today as the head of what has become known as the House of D'Pont Du Lac. One of the younger sons of the last King of Franconia survived the revolution. He had the title, Prince D'Pont du Lac and his descendants claim the pretense to the Franconian throne whilst still retaining the D'Pont Du Lac Princely title by courtesy.

The Royal Crest of Franconia is claimed in pretense by the House of D'Pont Du Lac but strictly speaking is invalid. However because the is no Kingdom of Franconia per sé anymore, there is nobody to contest their claim.

The current head of the House of D'Pont Du Lac is Prince Louis III seen on the far left in the picture. In the center we have his younger brother, Prince Valmont and their sister Princess Antoinette. 

Seen in the center, here at the 2013 wedding of Prince Valmont to the Duchess of Roswind we see Princess Antoinette accompanying her brother Prince Louis.  

The Duchess of Roswind's wedding was the highest profile wedding in 20013 due to the couple's high status within Royal circles. 

His Highness Prince Louis III, Prince D'Pont Du Lac and Duke D'Chartres is seen above wearing traditional Franconian Court Dress. The "Royal" is omitted from the the style Highness due to the fact that D'Pont D'Lacs  derive their title from a disenfranchised Prince of Franconia. As such cannot claim the title Prince of Franconia which would afford them the full style of Royal Highness. 

The Dowager Baroness D'Rothchild is the sister of Prince Louis' farther and also a Princess D'Pont' Du Lac by birth. She was responsible for the sale of many of the remaining great historical pieces of Princely Jewellery. Through her the ruling House of Hanoveria will be a branch of the House D'Pont Du Lac due to her daughter having married the current Grand Duke of Hanoveria. Her youngest sister married into the D'Bacquemme Family making the current Marquis D'Bacquemme her nephew and that family another extended branch of the Franconian Royal line.  

What's Up Wednesday (Prince Valmont D'Pont Du Lac Visits Grand Duchess of Hanoveria)

Prince Valmont D'Pont Du Lac and the Duchess of Roswind have come to the last league of their honeymoon and decided to spend two days with the Prince's cousin who could not attend their nuptials. After their State Portrait stint with the Duchess'cousin, Queen Gloria in Normandia, they joined the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria at the Royal Palace in the Hanoverian capital.

The Prince and the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria are first cousins and she could regrettably not attend  the wedding in Muren two weeks ago. The Royal Family of Hanoveria were hosting a State Visit from the Duke of Swann at the time. 

The newlyweds spent some private family time with the Grand Duchess but also made an incognito tour of the city while there. However they did attend a small formal dinner hosted by the Grand Duchess and allowed press photos. 

The Duchess of Roswind wore her new sapphires that she received as an engagement present to the formal dinner. 

From here on it is back to the grind stone. The Duchess has many business obligations and the Prince has to deal with his many responsibilities. There are talks of some business amalgamations with the greater Van der Bilt holdings of which the Duchess and Queen Gloria are major shareholders. Some dealings with Arc International are also being negotiated.

Wonderful Weekends (Normandian State Portraits)

After giving birth to a healthy baby boy on the 18th of May 2012, Queen Gloria felt fit only a few days later to pose for required State Portraits to commemorate the birth. Having opted for a natural birth, the healthy Queen was up and running the day after the birth and felt it nothing to pose for the photos so soon after the big day.

Normandian and indeed most other monarchical tradition dictates that the Consort Queen or in this case the reigning Queen of Normandia must show herself to her people as soon as possible after giving birth. In days gone by this was to prove that she was well and actually gave birth in order to authenticate the succession to the people. The baby however was rarely shown at such an early stage to the common populous for security reasons. Today this tradition is perpetuated with published State Portraits. In Normandia the baby is not photographed until after the Christening as the baby and the mother return from the church service in a carriage for this purpose. 

The first offial photo taken of Queen Gloria in over a year and to commemorate the birth of the heir to the throne.

Radiant and affectionately holding the hand of her husband Queen Gloria and the Prince of Northwold pose for their official portrait as a couple. 

The Normandian public is burning to see photos of the new Prince but will have to wait as custom dictates for the carriage procession to and from the cathedral at the Christianing. It is speculated that this will take place within the next two months. 

This affectionate photo reminds us that Queen Gloria and her husband are just a natural couple and now parents.

The whole Royal Family of Normandia includes the Queen's cousin in the front at right. The newly wed Duchess of Roswind and her husband Prince Valmont D'Pont Du Lac have been given Normandian titles as a wedding gift from Queen Gloria. To the left we see the Queen's sister-in-law, Mercedes Szanguscko and brother-in-law, the Count Szanguscko. 

The Queen's cousin joined the shoot on the last league of her honeymoon as it was the first time they saw each other after the Duchess of Roswind's wedding over a week ago. The honeymooning couple stopped over in Normandia to see the new baby and to spend some time with the family. It was because of the birth that Queen Gloria could not attend the wedding.  The new title of Duke and Duchess of  Vaganava has been granted and as such makes the Duchess of Roswind and Prince Valmont part of the Normandian court and officially required to attended this photo shoot. They will also be present at the upcoming Royal Christianing. 

What's Up Wednesday (Roswind, D'Pont Du Lac Wedding)

Last Friday saw another exciting and long awaited wedding take place. It was also the first event hosted by what might become the new in venue for Royal  weddings, namely Sorgenfrei Castle in Muren.

The Sorgenfrei Chapel was proud to be the venue for the celebrated wedding of the Duchess of Roswind and Prince Valmont D'Pont Du Lac.

The Crown Princess Imperial, in light blue, as a family member and hostess welcomes the first guests. We see from left Mercedes Szanguscko, representing the bride's cousin Queen Gloria of Normandia who was literally hours away from delivering her first baby. Then we see the groom's siblings, the Princess Antoinette D'Pont Du Lac and the pretender to the Franconian throne, Prince Louis D'Pont Du Lac. 

From left we see, a cousin of the groom, Madame Mairi D'Bacquemme and her fiance the Earl Cartwright. The Earl is also joined by his mother the Dowager Countess Cartwright a distant cousin by marriage to the bride. 

The Baroness D'Rothchild accompanied her husband, a cousin of the groom, wearing her fabulous Egyptian Bead Parure. 

The D'Rothchild's are greeted by the Crown Princess Imperial. The bride's cousin, Queen Gloria of Normandia, was notably absent and sent a special message of congratulations to the couple. Another prominent absentee was the Groom's other D'Rothchild cousin, the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria. She was preparing with her husband for the State Visit from the Duke of Swann who for the same reason also could not attend the wedding.

The groom, in blue awaits his bride at the altar with his hosts. 

All rise for the bride the Duchess of Roswind wearing her mother's slightly altered wedding gown and veil. She is assisted by her cousin and maid of honour, Esther Mormaer. 

The bridal couple look simply spectacular. The simple elegance of the Duchess complimented by a single Aron Lily was especially striking. She also wore her family tiara in a special coronet configuration. Queen Gloria of Normandia officially made a Royal Declaration creating a special title for the new couple to take effect upon their marriage. Henceforth the couple may be styled, Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Vaganava in Normandia. 

The beautiful bridal ensemble was absolutely incredible and perfectly complimented by the Roswind Rubies. 

As per Royal tradition the actual ceremony was not photographed due to its sacredness. 

The couple prepare for the register to be brought and thus to become the first marriage registered at Sorgenfrei Chapel.  

Everybody could not get enough of the lovely couple....

...and the spectacular dress. 

The couple leave for the adjoining room to enjoy the private lunch with their guests. 

The short ceremony was followed by an afternoon of partying after which the couple left for an undisclosed location to enjoy their honeymoon. They plan to visit their cousins the Queen of Normandia and the Grand Duchess of Hanoveria on the last league of their month long honeymoon. We wish them all the best and also celebrate with Normandia as they receive their new Crown Prince. 

What's Up Wednesday (Engagement of the Duchess of Roswind)

A Royal surprise event hits us today as the Mine Magazine reports on this past weekend's happenings. Kept a secret from the public until today it is obvious that the surprise factor adds to the magic of this great news. The long awaited engagement of the Duchess of Roswind is finally announced and was celebrated last Saturday at a private event by family and friends. Her Grace the Duchess of Roswind said "yes" to her literal Prince Charming who has been dating the Duchess for months away from the public glare. The lucky suitor can now finally be publicly revealed and happens to be none other than His Highness Prince Valmont D'Pont du Lac. He is the younger brother of the pretender to the Franconian throne and has chosen to remain completely out of the public eye until now.

The Duchess of Roswind is a very influential business woman with shares in the International affairs of the Van Der Bilt Corporation. As a Van Der Bilt heiress and a cousin to Queen Gloria of Normandia her media profile is in stark contrast to the reserved Prince from a Royal line who hasn't held power in over 200 years. Strictly speaking he does however outrank her but under current International law his title by courtesy does not have to pass to his wife. Once they get married they will probably be referred to by their separate titles or the Duchess of Roswind might accept Queen Gloria's offer of Normandian citizenship and title which will then restore the couple to having officially accepted rank.

The Duchess has been single for many years and speculation as to her relationships have been rife for just as long. Her turbulent past, wealth and social standing must have made it difficult to find a suitable partner but this match seems to make sense even if it is just on a practical level. Prince Valmont is from the right class, not too poor but down to earth enough to not have airs and graces. He also knows all the difficulties and responsibilities that come with a title and having it "in pretence".

Saturday night saw the family and friends of the couple come out in force to celebrate the engagement. The Hotel Ritz-Nordica was engaged by Queen Gloria of Normandia for hosting her cousin's special night.

Queen Gloria chats to the Grand Duchess of Serbieski while all the guests arrive.

Prince Louis D'Pont du Lac arrives with his younger brother Prince Valmont and their sister Princess Antoinette.  If Franconia was still a monarchy then this would be it's Royal family with Prince Louis as King.

 

Princess Odeliah and the Crown Prince Imperial arrive to celebrate with his cousin the Duchess of Roswind. Princess Odeliah tips her hat to the engaged Prince D'Pont du Lac by wearing some historic D'Pont du Lac Emeralds and Pearls.

The Duchess of Roswind stole the show next to her Prince, in a stunning Barbie International original dress and her new platinum jewellery.

The full gathering of family and friends consisted from left; the Crown Princess Imperial, the Crown Prince Imperial (second cousin to the Duchess), the Baroness D'Rothchild, the Dowager Baroness D'Rothchild (aunt to Prince Valmont), the Baron D'Rothchild (cousin to Prince Valmont), The Duchess of Roswind, the Prince Valmont, the Princess Antoinette (sister to Prince Valmont), Prince Louis (brother to Prince Valmont), Queen Gloria (cousin to the Duchess) and Grand Duchess Davina of Serbieski (distant cousin of the Duchess).

The highlight of the evening came when the family presented a set of sapphire jewellery to the couple as a gift to commemorate the event. The set, consisting of earrings and a necklace was purchased as a group by the guests from the estate of the former Shahbannou of Perlistan.

The Perlistani Sapphires haven't been seen in public for over 20 years and we look forward to seeing the Duchess wear them to an upcoming Royal event. We wish her Grace and His Highness all the best with their relationship and it has also been announced that the wedding date is set towards the end of this year or early 2013. The rest of the evening was spent eating and dancing.

In other news, it has been officially declared from the Syldav capital, that the Serbieski Governor's Local Election is to be held this coming Saturday. It seems to be a for ordained conclusion that the very popular Grand Duke of Serbieski will win by a landslide. It will be the first time in history that a Royal will be democratically elected into an office with political power and it will set new precedents as far as political power functions in Europa.